Beneficial effects of cinnamon on cardiovascular risk factors and type 2 diabetes

Cinnamon is obtained from a plant whose products have been used daily by people all over the world. Cinnamon is a popular culinary spice, and the oil of cinnamon is used in medicine as a carminative, antiseptic, and astringent. Cinnamon has recently become increasingly popular for its benefits in glycemic control. It has been used for the treatment of coronary risk factors, particularly hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity, and for ameliorating dyslipidemia. Its leaf and bark have digestive, blood purifier, astringent, carminative, warming stimulant, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties and can help to reduce cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Several mechanisms have been described for the action of polyphenols isolated from cinnamon. These compounds seem to modulate multiple steps of the insulin signal transduction pathway, stimulating the glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis. These bioactive compounds of cinnamon have also been shown to have insulin-independent effects on the regulation of gene expression in adipocytes. In brief, this review indicates that cinnamon has potential beneficial effects on blood glucose, body weight, blood lipids, and blood pressures.